The bigots win again

[markamericana]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/ju ... dvertising

Unbelievable. It's the UK and it's 2008, not the deep south in 1958...

[saint carl]

and that it raised the difficult problem of parents having to discuss the issue of same-sex relationships with younger viewers.

Don't you just love it when parents complain about something that forces them to behave like parents? Surely that's what mums and dads are supposed to do: have these discussions with their children.

Maybe, just maybe we'd have a slightly better society if more parents did have those discussions.

Reverse the situation and have the mum kissing a female deli worker. Would the complaints be as strong?

[Dangerbird]

certainly Heinz would have known that the ad would draw strong opinions. in fact, they probably ran with it knowing they'd pull it after a week, and that it would generate debate, giving the brand and ad a free run in the media long after they stopped paying for airtime. it's a marketing strategy.

nevertheless, the mere fact that that it did cause a stir is nothing short of pathetic.

[tuco]

I find it offensive, deli mayo is just wrong.

[hargarino]

Great ad . Witty , knowing and innocent. Who the fuck would complain about that. I'd like to see the complaints. And yes i'm sure heinz knew they'd pull it.

[Stuart W]

Great ad . Witty , knowing and innocent. Who the fuck would complain about that. I'd like to see the complaints.

Talking of innocent; I wonder why no-one ever (even Mary Whitehouse as far as I'm aware) raised objection to those Morecambe and Wise sketches that featured Eric and Ernie sharing a double bed.

[Lance Cusack]

and that it raised the difficult problem of parents having to discuss the issue of same-sex relationships with younger viewers.

Reverse the situation and have the mum kissing a female deli worker. Would the complaints be as strong?

Depends entirely on how fit the mum was in this 'new' advert of yours.
Lemme know when it's ready

[Chef]

I really really don't see what there is to complain about in this ad! It's not even gay. It's a joke. WTF. I'm offended that Heinz appologised!! Stonewall are calling for a boycott of Heinz (which I think is a little OTT). Heinz could never show the ad to children anyway. Not because it features homosexuality but because of the fat and salt content of the product.

When are we going to see an advert featuring a gay couple that isn't a joke or shock tactic? Just an ordinary gay couple doing ordinary consumer things? I guess it'll be a while....

[Dangerbird]

an ordinary gay couple doing ordinary consumer things? I guess it'll be a while....

as opposed to an extraordinary gay couple doing extraordinary consumer things?

[saint carl]

When are we going to see an advert featuring a gay couple that isn't a joke or shock tactic? Just an ordinary gay couple doing ordinary consumer things? I guess it'll be a while....

I think people are right to blame Heinz and the ad agency here. They pulled the ad based on complaints. There was no hearing from the complaints and the standards agency made no ruling. The complaints came in and the ad was pulled.

If Heinz had any balls they'd have continued with the campaign and insisted on a hearing. I think as a society we have moved on a long way, there are still people left behind, but there always will be.

Look at the situation 30 years ago. A bogey war is started based on some very debatable principles. The nation rallies, the tabloids celebrate, Thatcher secures her leadership. There's mention of female priests and Gay Bishops and the country is up in arms. 30 years later a war is started on some very debatable principles. The nation is up in arms, there are protests and it ultimately leads to the ending of Tony Blairs leadership. New legislation is passed securing equal rights for same sex couples, including adaoption and it's pretty clear the CoE isn't too concerned about openly gay employees (but just not Wimmin right!) and it barely even raises a eyebrow from the nation.

A handful of people complain about the ad. Most of us never even linked the ad to any kind of sexual behaviour or felt we'd have to explain anything to our kids beyond general discussions we should be having anyway. The ad is pulled.

Mark is absolutely right. They gave in to a minority and all in the spirit of all publicity is good. "Banned" adverts get more views and exposure in the press and internet than they ever would in the break during Coronation Street. They probably thought their dreams had come true when they were notified of the complaints.

[paulv]

The Benetton strategy continues apace obviously.

[paulv]

More modern madness:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/mers ... 474968.stm

[Dangerbird]

Though i'm disappointed the article fails to specify what type of cake it was, this quote more than makes up for this oversight:

She added that her son was embarassed by the debacle but liked his cake

alls well that ends well, then....

[paulv]

Talking of innocent; I wonder why no-one ever (even Mary Whitehouse as far as I'm aware) raised objection to those Morecambe and Wise sketches that featured Eric and Ernie sharing a double bed.

Anyone remember that (quite probably apocryphal) tale about Andy Pandy getting banned because he shared a bed (or in this case basket) with Looby Lou and they were not married...?

[tuco]

Bert and Ernie have caused some controversy in their day.